Date Lines: News from the Bay Area arts scene

News from the Bay Area arts scene

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, September 29, 2009

'Laramie Project' Bay Area readings

Ten years after the young Matthew Shepardwas beaten and left to die - tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyo., on Oct. 6, 1998 - Moisés Kaufman, LeighFondakowski and other Tectonic Theater Project creators of the landmark "The Laramie Project" returned to Laramie, interviewing inhabitants (including Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, and his murderer, Aaron McKinney) to explore the long-term effects of the murder and the national attention it attracted.

The result, "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later," will be unveiled in staged readings at 100 theaters throughout the country - and in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Hong Kong and Spain - Oct. 12.

Hansberry has season, no home

The Lorraine Hansberry Theatrestill doesn't have a home but it's planning to kick off its 29th season, and second homeless one, with a gala celebration Oct. 17 at the Ritz-Carlton. A fundraiser for the company's programs, Bravo! 29, Hope, Home & New Horizons, will feature entertainment, a cocktail reception, silent auction and dinner, with Belva Davisas mistress of ceremonies. Tickets ($175 per person, $1,575 per table) available at (415) 345-3980 or gala@lhtsf.org.

The actual season will open in December with the Hansberry's annual holiday show, "Black Nativity: A Gospel Celebration of Christmas," featuring Arvis Strickling-Jones.

Venues for all shows will be announced later but single tickets ($18-$40) and season subscriptions ($125-$180) are on sale at (415) 474-8800 or www.lhtsf.org.